Hot stocks: Canada’s top performers in Q3 2025 + MORE Oct 2nd

“Risk on!” was the theme of the third quarter in Canadian equity markets, as niche and smallish-cap stocks shot to the top of the performance table. Of the top 10 mid- and large-capitalization performers in Q3, eight more than doubled in value.

The best stock to have in your portfolio was data centre operator Bitfarms Ltd., with an eye-popping 247.8% return over the 90 days to September 30, followed by cannabis producer Curaleaf Holdings Inc. (233%) and uranium miner Energy Fuels Inc. (171.5%).

The 213-member S&P/TSX Composite—the standard index of Canadian stocks—gained 11.8% over the period. Its total return, including dividends, was 12.5%. These numbers compared favourably with the S&P 500 in the U.S., which returned 7.8% (8.1% total return) in Q3. 

Of the 296 mid- to large-capitalization stocks in Canada (with a market value of $2 billion or more), the standouts included technology, cannabis, uranium, fast fashion, and gold companies—the domain of risk-takers…

When you buy new residential real estate, like a condo or house, you pay sales tax. Depending on your province or territory of residence, this includes goods and services tax (GST), harmonized sales tax (HST), or provincial sales tax (PST). In contrast, resale homes are generally exempt from sales tax. There may be exceptions, like when you buy a property that was used for commercial purposes, including short-term rentals. 

There are some unique considerations when you build or substantially renovate a home that are important for anyone considering it. And there may even be rebates available that can put money back into your pocket.

Is it a substantial renovation?

The concept of a so-called substantial renovation is important for residential real estate and sales tax implications. The Canada Revenue Agency (CRA) considers a home to be substantially renovated if 90% or more of the building that existed prior to the work started was renovated to some degree. This percentage is based on the interior area of the building…